Magnetic strut channel fitting

ABSTRACT

A magnetic strut channel fitting includes first and second plates connected to each other and a plurality of magnets embedded into at least one of the first and second plates. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat plate and a plurality of magnets embedded into the plate. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat connecting plate, first and second arm members, each of the first and second arm members having a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, and a plurality of magnets, the plurality of magnets embedded into the connecting plate to allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to magnetically adhere to a strut channel. The plurality of magnets allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhered to a strut channel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/230,010, filed Dec. 21, 2018, which is a continuation ofPCT/US2017/037207, filed Jun. 13, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/353,875, filed on Jun. 23, 2016,the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to strut channel fittings, and moreparticularly, to magnetic strut channel fittings configured to bemagnetically adhered to a strut channel during assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Strut channels are generally used for structural supports, such assupporting cables and mechanical/electrical components, duringconstruction of various facilities or buildings. For example, strutchannels can be assembled together to make various shelves, racks, andother support structures and assemblies. These strut channels aregenerally secured together with strut channel fittings. Currently, thestrut channel fittings are held in place manually (using hands) duringassembly and secured to the strut channels with fasteners such as bolts.Since the strut channel fittings need to be lined up correctly againstopen ends of the strut channels while tightening bolts through the strutchannel fittings, it is often time consuming and difficult to mount thestrut channel fittings to join multiple strut channels.

Accordingly, although various strut channel fittings are availablecurrently in the market, further improvements are possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strutchannel fitting includes first and second plates, the first and secondplates connected to each other, and a plurality of magnets embedded intoat least one of the first and second plates, wherein the plurality ofmagnets allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magneticallyadhered to a strut channel.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a magneticstrut channel fitting includes a substantially flat plate and aplurality of magnets embedded into the plate, wherein the plurality ofmagnets allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magneticallyadhered to a strut channel.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a magneticstrut channel fitting includes a substantially flat connecting plate,first and second arm members, each of the first and second arm membershaving a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, and a plurality ofmagnets, the plurality of magnets embedded into the connecting plate toallow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhere to astrut channel, wherein the first and second arm members connected andseparated by the connecting plate such that a channel insert area isdefined therebetween.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be betterunderstood in view of the drawings and following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic strut channel fitting,according to an embodiment of the present invention, applied to multiplestrut channels;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of the magnetic strut channel fitting in FIG. 1with a plurality of magnets staked therein;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the magnetic strut channel fitting inFIG. 1 with a plurality of magnets embedded therein without staking;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the magnetic strut channel fitting inFIG. 1 without a plurality of magnets embedded therein;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the magnetic strut channel fitting in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a magnetic strut channel fitting,according to another embodiment of the present invention, with aplurality of magnets staked therein;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the magnetic strut channel fitting inFIG. 6 with a plurality of magnets embedded therein without staking;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic strut channelfitting in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the magnetic strut channel fitting in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a magnetic strut channel fitting,according to another embodiment of the present invention, with aplurality of magnets embedded therein;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the magnetic strut channel fitting in FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the magnetic strut channel fitting inFIG. 10 , applied to strut channels:

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a magnetic strut channel fitting,according to another embodiment of the present invention, with aplurality of magnets staked therein;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the magnetic strut channel fitting inFIG. 13 with a plurality of magnets embedded therein without staking;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the magnetic strut channel fitting inFIG. 13 , applied to a strut channel;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a magnetic strut channel fitting,according to another embodiment of the present invention, with aplurality of magnets staked therein;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the magnetic strut channel fitting inFIG. 16 with a plurality of magnets embedded therein without staking;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the magnetic strut channel fitting inFIG. 16 , applied to a strut channel;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a magnetic strut channel fitting,according to another embodiment of the present invention, with aplurality of magnets staked therein;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic strut channelfitting in FIG. 19 ; and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the magnetic strut channel fitting inFIG. 20 with a plurality of magnets embedded therein without staking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIGS.1-5 , a magnetic strut channel fitting 10 includes a first plate 12, asecond plate 14, and a plurality of magnets 16 embedded into at leastone of the first and second plates 12, 14, as will be described ingreater detail below. The magnetic strut channel fitting 10 isconfigured and adapted to be easily and conveniently mounted to strutchannels 18, 20. More specifically, the plurality of magnets 16 allowthe magnetic strut channel fitting 10 to magnetically adhere to thestrut channel 18, as shown in FIG. 1 , thereby, allowing an installer tofreely use both hands during assembly to secure the magnetic strutchannel fitting 10 to the strut channels 18, 20.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5 , the first and second plates 12, 14 aresubstantially flat and rectangular, and are connected to each other suchthat they are preferably perpendicular to each other. Alternatively, thefirst and second plates 12, 14 are connected such that an acute angle(e.g. 45 degrees) or an obtuse angle (e.g., 135 degrees) is formedbetween the plates 12, 14. In the depicted embodiment, the first andsecond plates 12, 14 are integrally connected to each other;alternately, the first and second plates 12, 14 could be welded theretoor attached via some other means. Preferably, first plate width FPW andsecond plate width SPW are equal to the width SCW of each of the strutchannels 18, 20 such that, when the magnetic strut channel fitting 10 ismounted to the strut channels 18, 20, side edges 22, 24, 26, 28 of thefirst and second plates 12, 14 are flush with side walls 30, 32 of thestrut channels 18, 20, as shown in FIG. 1 . In addition, the length SPLof the second plate 14 is slightly greater than the length FPL of thefirst plate 12, although other configurations and dimensions arepossible.

In the depicted embodiment, a plurality of magnet holes 34 are definedon the first plate 12, through which the plurality of magnets 16 areinserted and secured therewithin to allow the magnetic strut channelfitting 10 to be magnetically adhered to the strut channel 18 duringassembly, as illustrated in FIG. 1 . Specifically, the plurality ofmagnet holes 34 are positioned along each side portion of the firstplate 12 such that the plurality of magnets 16 could be aligned andmagnetically adhered to inturned members 36, 38 of the strut channel 18.Alternately, the plurality of magnet holes 34 could be defined on thesecond plate 14 or on both the first and second plates 12, 14.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 2 , the plurality of magnets 16 arestaked into the plurality of magnet holes 34. After the plurality ofmagnets 16 are installed into the plurality of magnet holes 34, thestaking operation is performed to define a plurality of indents 40, witheach indent 40 surrounding each corresponding magnet hole 34. Each ofthe plurality of indents 40 creates an interference fit between thefirst plate 12 and each of the plurality of magnets 16, therebyproviding stability for each of the plurality of magnets 16.Alternately, the plurality of magnets 16 could be firmly secured withinthe plurality of magnet holes 34 by using an adhesive such as glue orsome other means, as illustrated in FIG. 3 . The plurality of magnets 16are firmly embedded within the plurality of magnet holes 34 such thatthey do not move even a heavy axial load is applied thereon.

Each of the plurality of magnets 16 is dimensioned to be closelyaccommodated within each of the plurality of magnet holes 34. Forexample, the thickness of each of the plurality of magnets 16 is equalto the thickness of the first plate 12 such that each opposite end ofeach magnet 16 is flush with each surface of the first plate 12. Thisallows the magnetic strut channel fitting 10 to be installed in multipleorientations and also does not affect the interface between the magneticstrut channel fitting 10 and the strut channels 18, 20.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5 , each of the first and second plates 12,14 includes a plurality of mounting holes 42, through which a fastenersuch as a bolt could be inserted and tightened with appropriate hardwareto affix the magnetic strut channel fitting 10 to the strut channels 18,20.

Preferred dimensions believed to be suitable for the magnetic strutchannel fitting 10 include the first plate width FPW of approximately1.625 inches, the second plate width SPW of approximately 1.625 inches,and the first and second plate lengths FPL, SPL of approximately 3.125inches and 3.75 inches, respectively. The diameter of each of theplurality of magnets 16 and the diameter of each of the plurality ofmounting holes 42 are preferably 0.25 inch and 0.56 inch, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9 , in an alternate embodiment, a magnetic strutchannel fitting 110 includes substantially flat first and second plates112, 114, each having one mounting hole 116. In addition, the length ofthe first plate 112 is slightly greater than the length of the secondplate 114, although other configurations and dimensions are possible.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12 , in an alternate embodiment, a magnetic strutchannel fitting 210 includes a substantially flat connecting plate 212,and L-shaped first and second arm members 214, 216, each having avertical plate 218 and a horizontal plate 220. The first and second armmembers 214, 216 are connected and separated by the connecting plate212, defining a channel insert area 222 therebetween. A plurality ofmagnet holes 224 are defined on the connecting plate 212, through whicha plurality of magnets 226 are inserted and secured therewithin to allowthe magnetic strut channel fitting 210 to be magnetically adhered to afirst strut channel 228 during assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 12 .Specifically, the plurality of magnets 226 are positioned at each cornerportion of the connecting plate 212 such that they could be aligned andmagnetically adhered to inturned members 230, 232 of the first strutchannel 228. A plurality of mounting holes 234 are defined on the firstarm member 214, second arm member 216, and connecting plate 212, throughwhich a fastener such as a bolt could be inserted and tightened withappropriate hardware to affix the magnetic strut channel fitting 210 tothe strut channels 228, 236.

The magnetic strut channel fitting 210 is dimensioned such that a partof the first strut channel 228 could be closely accommodated within thechannel insert area 222, as shown in FIG. 12 . Once the magnetic strutchannel fitting 210 is magnetically adhered to the first strut channel228, a side edge 240 of the vertical plate 218 of each arm member 214,216 and side edge 244 of the horizontal plate 220 of each arm member214, 216 are flush with side walls 246, 248 of the first strut channel228 and a side wall 252 of the second strut channel 236, respectively.

It will be appreciated that other shapes, configurations and dimensionscould be used fir the magnetic strut channel fitting, as deemed suitablefor a given application factors such as construction type. For example,in an alternate embodiment, referring to FIGS. 13-21 , a magnetic strutchannel fitting 310, 410, 510 is a substantially flat plate having a Lshape (FIGS. 13-15 ) 312, a T shape (FIGS. 16-18 ) 412 or a square shape(FIGS. 19-21 ) 512. One or more mounting holes 314, 414, 514 and theplurality of magnet holes 316, 416, 516, with the plurality of magnets318, 418, 518 embedded therewithin via staking (FIGS. 13, 16, and 19 )or other suitable method (FIGS. 14, 17, and 21 ), are defined on theplates 312, 412, 512. The plurality of magnets 318, 418, 518 areconfigured and positioned such that they could be aligned andmagnetically adhered to inturned members 320, 322, 420, 422 of a strutchannel 324, 424, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 18 . A fastener couldbe inserted and tightened through the mounting hole 314, 414, 514 toaffix the magnetic strut channel fitting 310, 410, 510 to the strutchannel 324, 424.

The thickness of each of the plurality of magnets 318, 418, 518 is equalto the thickness of the plate 312, 412, 512 such that, when theplurality of magnets 318, 418, 518 are embedded into the plurality ofmagnet holes 316, 416, 516, each opposite end of each of the pluralityof magnets 316, 416, 516 is flush with each surface of the plate 312,412, 512.

The magnetic strut channel fitting 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 is madeout of one or more materials having suitable properties for a desiredapplication, including strength, weight, rigidity, etc. Preferably, theplurality of magnets 16, 226, 318, 418, 518 are rare earth disc magnets.Additionally, steel is generally preferred for the plates 12, 14, 112,114, 212, 218, 220, 312, 412, 512. The magnetic strut channel fittings10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 are formed as unitary pieces; for example bystamping from a single sheet of metal.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a magnetic strut channelfitting according to the present invention magnetically adheres to astrut channel during assembly, thereby providing faster and easierinstallation of strut channels.

In general, the foregoing description is provided for exemplary andillustrative purposes; the present invention is not necessarily limitedthereto. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatadditional modifications, as well as adaptations for particularcircumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as hereinshown and described and of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic strut channel fitting comprising: asubstantially flat plate; and a plurality of magnets, the plurality ofmagnets embedded into the plate to allow the magnetic strut channelfitting to be magnetically adhered to a strut channel; wherein one ormore mounting holes are defined on the plate, the one or more mountingholes positioned to be adjacent to and aligned with inturned members ofthe strut channel, wherein the one or more mounting holes are configuredto receive a fastener, the fastener configured to be tightened to affixthe magnetic strut channel fitting to the strut channel; and wherein themagnetic strut channel fitting is substantially flat.
 2. The magneticstrut channel fitting of claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnets isconfigured and positioned such that the plurality of magnets could bealigned and magnetically adhered to the inturned members of the strutchannel.
 3. The magnetic strut channel fitting of claim 1, wherein theplate defines a plurality of magnet holes through which the plurality ofmagnets is inserted and secured therewithin.
 4. The magnetic strutchannel fitting of claim 3, wherein a plurality of indents is definedsuch that each indent surrounds each corresponding magnet hole to stakethe plurality of magnets into the plurality of magnet holes.
 5. Themagnetic strut channel fitting of claim 3, wherein the plurality ofmagnets is secured within the plurality of magnet holes by using anadhesive.
 6. The magnetic strut channel fitting of claim 3, wherein athickness of each of the plurality of magnets is equal to the thicknessof the plate such that, when the plurality of magnets is embedded intothe plurality of magnet holes, each opposite end of each of theplurality of magnets is flush with each surface of the plate.
 7. Themagnetic strut channel fitting of claim 1, wherein the plate issquare-shaped.
 8. The magnetic strut channel fitting of claim 1, whereinthe plate is L-shaped.
 9. The magnetic strut channel fitting of claim 1,wherein the plate is T-shaped.